Capacity Building

“At Symbiotics, we supplement our investments with expertise in capacity building and technical assistance projects, aiming to maximize impact and strengthen institutional capacity of our partners while aligning their needs with the goals of donors and project funders.”

– Mariano Larena, Head of Technical Assistance and Development Finance –

TA Management for Impact Investments

You are a donor and looking for technical assistance managers in the field of impact investment and inclusive finance. We initiated our solid TA track record back in 2011, having delivered successfully over 110 TA projects in more than 20 emerging and frontier markets, with a particular focus on governance and operations, product development, digital services, financial education as well as client protection and social performance. In line with Symbiotics’ emphasis on SME development, we are specialized in customizing TA mandates for donors, both in SME education programs in entrepreneurship and business development and in SME access to finance product development.

You are a consultant and looking for assignment opportunities in our challenging environment.

We look forward to partnering with experienced and reliable experts willing to support us in achieving our TA missions in the developmental space, and invite interested professionals to register in our Symbiotics TA Consultant Database.

Market Research

You are interested in research and analysis in inclusive finance and impact investing. We produce reports, evaluations, surveys, benchmarks and indexes. Our systems have over a decade of track record and currently monitor over 50 countries, 100 funds and well over 500 companies.

Impact Measurement

You are looking for impact measurement solutions and reports linked to your investments or projects in developing countries. We produce impact reports for investment funds, social responsibility ratings for companies, and manage SME impact databases.

Contacts

Mariano Larena

Development Finance

Head of Technical Assistance and Development Finance

mariano.larena@symbioticsgroup.com

Asset Management

Mariano has worked with financial institutions as a banker for over 20 years. Formerly, he worked as an independent microfinance and SME consultant. He also worked as a regional coordinator for Latin America at ProCredit Holding. Before this, he held various positions including senior manager and risk & credit officer within commercial banks such as Euro Hypo and Banco Santander. Mariano holds a law degree from the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain and is a member of the Madrid Chamber of Lawyers.

Nelly Elimbi

TA Management

Technical Assistance Program Manager

nelly.elimbi@symbioticsgroup.com

Asset Management

Formerly, Nelly led a South Africa based Technical Assistance Facility, coordinating activities around training & capacity building, implementation of management information systems and placement of senior managers for the benefit of AfriCap’s partner MFIs. With over 15 years’ experience in banking, credit and risk management, corporate finance and relationship management. Nelly holds a master’s in Management Economics from the Catholic University of Central Africa in Cameroon.

Marina Parashkevova

Fund Research

Market Research Analyst

marina.parashkevova@symbioticsgroup.com

Marketing & Communication

Marina worked for one year at the World Microfinance Forum Geneva for projects related to “Microcredit in Switzerland” and Islamic microfinance. Prior to this, she worked in the non-governmental human rights organization Alkarama and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations, Geneva. Marina holds a master’s degree in Public Management from the University of Geneva and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and a bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Geneva.

Ramkumar Narayanan

Institution Research

Market Research Analyst

ramkumar.narayanan@symbioticsgroup.com

Marketing & Communication

Prior to joining Symbiotics in May 2013, Ramkumar worked for three years as a Project Manager at the World Microfinance Forum Geneva. He was responsible for developing and managing the working group on inclusive finance in China, a project aimed at raising awareness of the opportunities and challenges in building a sustainable microfinance sector in China. Ramkumar holds a master’s degree in Public Management and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Geneva.

﻿

Testimonials

Mrs. So used to work in a garment factory but later decided to actively get involved in the water purification business her husband has been engaged in for many years. Having heard about Sathapana from her brother, her first loan of USD 30,000 with the MFI served to build a premises in which Mrs. So and her husband will purify and bottle water. Her clients are grocery stores in Kandal Provinces, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

“My husband and I are glad to contribute to the development of nearby communities through the supply of drinking water”

Ms So, Cambodia

Symbiotics

A leading investment company specialized in emerging, sustainable and inclusive finance.